“THELMA” Boldly Imaginative

THELMA, a Magnolia Pictures release

There’s always a special film that comes out during the year and Thelma is one of them. It’s billed as a comedy action film, but to me it’s a well-developed drama with excitement and inspiration. Thought to be for the older generation, the film dives into a plot that involves a meeting of the young generation uniting with his grandmother. It’s a sweet film that tugs at the heartstrings in so many ways.

Barely surviving the computer age, Thelma has been taking advantage of her grandson Daniel’s ability to teach her the web. But as things would have it, 93 year-old Thelma feels like she has it mastered. After leaving his grandmother’s house one day, Thelma goes on line and at a dating site presses a few keys and leaves it thinking she did no harm.

June Squibb and Fred Hechinger in THELMA, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Minutes later she gets a phone call from someone who says he’s Daniel and that he has been arrested involving an auto accident. He provides a phone number of a lawyer who can help him and the flustered Thelma makes the call. Convincing her that she needs to send him cash money to get the boy out, Thelma follows the lawyer’s request. When she finds out that it was just a scam. Thelma decides to track down the scam artist and get back her money. With the help of her old friend Ben it becomes an adventure with speed bumps all the way.

What makes the film extra special it’s director Josh Margolin wrote the film and fashioned it after his grandmother. Depicting many the foibles of the aged we get some very special dings and don’ts that produce a lot of laughter. But, it also brings some scenes that show the love, happenstances and aspirations of both the old and even middle agers. He delivers a nicely crafted film that surly will get noticed come Awards season.

Richard Roundtree and June Squibb in THELMA, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

The acting by June Squibb and her co-stars, Richard Roundtree and Fred Hechinger make the movie work. Here 95 year old Squibb acts her age with a boldly imaginative performance as the strong-willed Thelma. Putting her aged body into action, you can’t take your eyes off of the woman who is determined not to be duped by the conman. You just have to cheer her on as she stumbles into one setback after another.

Thelma has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for strong language. The target audience is older adults, but all mature movie goers should like the comedy that lovingly shows the challenges of the over 80 folks. For golden year adults, grandmas and grandpas it’s 5 out of 5 Stars.

Parker Posey, Fred Hechinger and Clark Gregg in THELMA, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Additional Film Information:
Cast: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey and Clark Gregg
Directed and written by: Josh Margolin
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Action
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for strong language
Running Time: 1 hr. 37 min.
Opening Date: June 21, 2024
Distributed by: Magnolia Pictures
Released in: Theaters

Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com